Habs fans quick to rest easy after win over Rangers

The regular post-game celebratory ruckus on downtown streets and sidewalks that usually follows a Habs playoff win wrapped up early last night after only about 30 minutes, with fans choosing instead to make their way home or to a nearby pub to commemorate the Game 5 victory over the New York Rangers.

Many fans say they weren't expecting the celebrations after the game to get out of hand.

Among them, Shawn Hubick from Edmonton, who told CJAD News that riots, like after the Habs swept the Boston Bruins in the quarterfinals of the 2008 playoffs, aren't likely to happen again.

"I don't think there will be [any more rioting], no," he said.

"Things have changed since back then, [it's] not going to be a problem at all."

"If you look at what's happened in the world [with hockey fans] the last few years, having something like that happen, I just don't think it's in people anymore," he continued, referring particularly to the 2011 Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver following the Canucks' defeat at the hands of the Bruins.

Others, like fans Adam Hendy and Matt Gazola, say Habs fans were not in a mood for a raucus celebration, considering their team is still facing elimination.

"The Habs winning is great on any given night, and I think thats a beautiful thing about Montreal: this city loves hockey more than any city on Earth, but there's a certain point where you have to learn to not get carried away," said Hendy.

"Tonight's one of those nights."

"There's still a lot of work to be done, and there's still a ways to [go]," echoed Gazola.

"There's two hard games to be fought and won, so we'll see."

Montreal police had an early evening as well, with no major incidents or arrests made following the game.